The Marc Cox Morning Show

Is talk about the government loaning Spirit Airlines enough to stay afloat a good idea? Here's the latest. Plus, the Southern Poverty Law Center faces the music and more on what Virginia's redistricting means for the rest of the country.

The full show covers global tensions with Iran, federal policy debates, and major economic stories, along with local business headlines and cultural topics. Ken Cuccinelli breaks down Virginia’s redistricting legal fight, while Bob Ander discusses ICE funding, reconciliation, and rural America. Darren Bailey joins to talk affordability, energy costs, and Illinois policy, and Joel Griffith weighs in on the proposed bailout of Spirit Airlines and broader free market concerns. The show also includes “Kim on a Whim” with Kim St. Onge and wide-ranging political and economic commentary throughout all four hours.

Hour 4 features Darren Bailey on rising costs, energy concerns, redistricting, and major policy issues in Illinois, including the future of the Chicago Bears and a statewide labor dispute. Joel Griffith follows with a strong stance against a proposed bailout for Spirit Airlines, defending free market principles and warning against government ownership.

Joel Griffith weighs in on a proposed bailout for Spirit Airlines, opposing government intervention and warning against taxpayer-funded rescues. He criticizes the Biden administration for blocking the Spirit–JetBlue merger, arguing it removed a market-based solution. Griffith emphasizes that investors, not taxpayers, should bear losses, and explains why Spirit’s collapse wouldn’t significantly harm competition, pointing to other low-cost carriers.

Darren Bailey discusses rising costs in Illinois, criticizing state spending and policies under JB Pritzker. He covers energy concerns tied to data centers, redistricting issues, the Illinois State University strike, and debates over tax breaks and the future of the Chicago Bears.

Hour 3 features Ken Cuccinelli breaking down Virginia’s redistricting legal battle, and Bob Ander discussing ICE funding, reconciliation, and rural America. The hour wraps with Kim St. Onge’s “Kim on a Whim.”

Congressman Bob Ander discusses the Senate’s ICE and CBP funding bill, failed amendments including Planned Parenthood cuts, and how reconciliation shapes policy outcomes. He also highlights support for rural America and weighs in on redistricting battles in Missouri and beyond.

Ken Cuccinelli breaks down the legal fight over Virginia’s redistricting map, arguing it violates the state constitution due to issues with timing, early voting, and legislative procedure. He also explains why the Virginia Supreme Court could act quickly ahead of upcoming elections

Hour 2 of the Marc Cox Morning Show focuses on major political issues, including redistricting battles, GOP divisions, and frustration over the SAVE AMERICA Act being left out of the reconciliation bill. The crew also dives into immigration, assimilation, and broader questions about government power and policy direction. Nicole Murray joins with a business update, covering market movement, layoffs at Nike, local St. Louis developments, and travel trends. The hour wraps with “In Other News,” featuring lighter and offbeat stories that bring a mix of humor and perspective to close out the segment.

Nicole Murray shares a quick market update, breaks down layoffs at Nike, local St. Louis business headlines, and a surprising dating app trend from Pew Research Center

Hour 1 of the Marc Cox Morning Show covers a wide range of topics starting with a major debate over personal freedom versus government control. Using the UK’s proposed lifetime cigarette ban as a jumping-off point, Marc Cox and the crew explore where public health ends and overreach begins, comparing it to U.S. policies like seatbelt laws, soda taxes, and vaping restrictions. The conversation expands into how behavior actually changes, whether through laws or cultural pressure, and what could be next on the chopping block. The crew also takes a turn into media and workplace frustrations, breaking down the difference between tough questions and time-wasting ones in press conferences and meetings. Listeners weigh in with real-life experiences, from workplace annoyances to broader concerns about accountability, bureaucracy, and personal responsibility.

Kim St. Onge takes on a big question with real everyday impact, how far should government go in protecting people from themselves? Using the UK’s proposed lifetime cigarette ban as a starting point, Kim breaks down where public health ends and personal freedom begins. From seatbelt laws and soda taxes to vaping, marijuana, and social pressure, the conversation explores what actually changes behavior and what crosses the line.

The full Marc Cox Morning Show covers major headlines and local stories, including Senate border funding battles, the SAVE AMERICA Act, and political reaction in Washington. Mark Schmitz shares updates on the Abbey Gate attack and his mission with The Freedom 13, while Jim Talent breaks down the filibuster fight and foreign policy strategy. The show also features Tom Ackerman on NFL Draft buzz and the St. Louis Cardinals, plus Aaron Mehdizadeh on the rise of humanoid event robots. Griff Jenkins joins to discuss marijuana policy changes and the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Additional segments include Kim on a Whim with Kim St. Onge on phone etiquette and tech habits, along with lighter stories, media commentary, and cultural discussions throughout the morning.

Hour 4 of the Marc Cox Morning Show covers a wide mix of local, political, and cultural topics. The hour features a conversation with Aaron Mehdizadeh about The Robot Shop and the growing trend of humanoid robots at events, along with their future in business and customer service. The show also dives into breaking news on medical marijuana reclassification and what it means for federal policy, followed by analysis from Griff Jenkins. Additional discussions include Senate border funding, criticism of Chuck Schumer, debates over USAID spending, and broader foreign policy tensions involving Iran. The hour wraps with media and cultural commentary, including the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, plus lighter moments with movie nostalgia and local restaurant talk.

Griff Jenkins joins the show to break down the reclassification of medical marijuana and what it means for research, federal policy, and state laws. He also connects the move to broader conversations around veterans and emerging treatments like psychedelics. Jenkins previews the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, discussing the political climate, media tensions, and what to expect from this year’s event. The segment also includes commentary on government spending topics and some lighthearted banter, including classic movie talk.

Hour 3 features Jim Talent on border funding, the filibuster, and Iran strategy, plus Mark Schmitz on Abbey Gate accountability and the mission of The Freedom 13. The hour wraps with Kim on a Whim, as Kim St. Onge discusses phone etiquette at the table and society’s dependence on smartphones.

Aaron Mehdizadeh joins to discuss The Robot Shop, renting humanoid robots for parties and corporate events. He explains their capabilities, pricing, and his vision for expanding into future business and customer service uses.

In Kim on a Whim, Kim St. Onge dives into phone etiquette at the dinner table, breaking down how smartphones are impacting real-life conversations. She highlights a study showing how often people are on their phones during meals and why it’s seen as rude. The segment also explores a creative idea from Chick-fil-A, where diners can earn a reward by placing their phones in a “cell phone coop” and staying off them throughout the meal.

Former Senator Jim Talent joins the show to break down the Senate reconciliation bill funding ICE and Border Patrol, and what comes next in the House. He explains the battle over the SAVE AMERICA Act and how the Senate filibuster continues to shape what legislation can pass. Talent also reacts to the reported departure of Navy Secretary John C. Phelan, framing it as part of broader efforts to rebuild military readiness. The conversation expands to global tensions, including Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, with Talent outlining U.S. strategy and pressure on Iran.

Mark Schmitz, father of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, joins the show to discuss the Pentagon’s decision to upgrade valor awards for Marines involved in the Abbey Gate bombing during the Afghanistan withdrawal. He shares concerns about government accountability, new details surrounding gunfire at the scene, and the ongoing trial of the ISIS-K terrorist linked to the attack. Schmitz also talks about his organization, The Freedom 13, including major fundraising success, building retreat homes for veterans, and upcoming events like the Freedom Backyard Ultra Marathon and Memorial Ride, all aimed at supporting those who served.